Sweet and Tangy Homemade Grape Jam
A sweet, rich fruit jam made by simmering blended grape juice with sugar.
Translated from Korean by AI and not yet checked by a native speaker. Amounts and numbers are taken directly from the original recipe. Read the Korean original →
A fruit jam made by finely blending in-season grapes, straining them through a sieve, and gently simmering the juice with sugar. It naturally thickens as it cools, so the trick is to turn off the heat while it is still slightly runny. It makes a wonderful sweet treat to spread on bread or scones.
- Servings
- about 6–8 servings
- Cook time
- 40 minprep not included
- Difficulty
- Hard
- Spiciness
- Not spicy
- Keeps
- 365 days
Ingredients
- Grapes2 bunches, 700 g
- Sugar300 g (2 cups)
- Lemon juice2 tbsp
- When making fruit jam, the standard ratio of fruit to sugar is 2:1, but you may use a little less sugar.
- If you do not have lemon juice, you can leave it out.
- Stored in a glass jar sterilized in boiling water and dried completely, it can keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 year.
Steps
1. It is said that the skins of all fruits hold plenty of nutrients, but people often peel them before eating because of pesticides.
In the case of grapes, the small berries cling closely together, making it difficult to clear out debris between them.
In this case, sprinkle flour or baking soda evenly over the grapes and let them sit for about 10 minutes...
2. Rinsing them under running water is said to help remove impurities along with pesticide residues.
3. Another method is to add 3 to 4 tbsp of vinegar to water, soak the fruit for about 30 minutes, and then wash it, which is said to have a sterilizing effect and help remove pesticide residues.
4. Here are two bunches of washed grapes. They are medium-sized grapes.
5. Pluck the grapes from the stems so they blend easily in the blender.
6. Place them in the blender and...
7. Blend finely.
8. Strain through a sieve to filter out the grape skins and seeds, collecting only the clear juice.
10
9. Pour the grape juice into a pot and add the sugar.
Bring to a boil over high heat, then reduce to medium heat...
When making fruit jam, you can use a 2:1 ratio of fruit to sugar, though you can use a little less sugar.
10. Simmer for about 20 minutes, skimming off the foam that rises now and then.
11
12
11. As some moisture evaporates, it becomes sticky and glossy.
Reduce the heat to low and simmer for about 20 minutes, stirring so the bottom does not scorch.
At this point the jam is almost done. It may still be thin enough to run off a spoon, but it thickens as it cools, so do not simmer it until it becomes thick.
At the end, if you have lemon juice, stir in about two tablespoons to finish.
If you do not have lemon juice, skip it.
12. Drop a bit of the jam into cold water; if it holds its shape without spreading, the jam is ready. Check frequently during the simmering process and finish when it reaches this state.
Ppunwife's tips
- The jam is still runny enough to drip, but it sets as it cools, so do not simmer it until it becomes thick.
- Drop the jam into cold water; if it stays intact without spreading, it is done, so check often and remove it from the heat.
- Dividing it into small jars minimizes contact with air, helping it keep longer.
- Note that scooping out jam with a wet or dirty spoon can cause mold to grow.
FAQ
How do I check if the grape jam has the right consistency?
Drop a small amount of jam into cold water; if it holds its shape as a clump without dispersing in the water, it is properly finished.
How should the finished grape jam be stored, and how long does it keep?
If placed in a glass jar that has been sterilized in boiling water and dried completely, it can keep in the refrigerator for up to 1 year. To reduce exposure to air, divide it into small jars, and always use a clean, dry spoon to prevent mold.
Is there a good way to clean the grapes thoroughly?
Sprinkling them with flour or baking soda, letting them rest for 10 minutes, and rinsing under running water helps remove debris. Alternatively, soaking them in water mixed with vinegar for about 30 minutes before washing is also effective.
Can I skip the lemon juice if I do not have it?
If you do not have lemon juice, it is completely fine to finish cooking without adding it.
